Dortmund, Hamburg, Hoffenheim advance in German Cup

Borussia Dortmund cruised to a 2-0 win at Saarbrucken, Hoffenheim upset Schalke 3-1 on the road and Hamburg carved out a 2-1 victory against Cologne in the opener of the last sixteen in the DFB Pokal German Cup.

German Cup quarterfinal tickets were at stake but Schalke lost 1-3 to clinical Hoffenheim as Kai Herdling, Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino provided a 3-0 lead within 35 minutes Tuesday. Schalke controlled the proceedings on the pitch but lacked in penetration meanwhile Hoffenheim successfully converted their fast breaks, reports Xinhua.

Dortmund cruised to an uncontested 2-0 victory against third division side Saarbrucken.

The "BVB" got their offence going 20 minutes into the clash as Jonas Hofmann's precise cross found Julian Schieber, who headed home from close range, at the back post.

Juergen Klopp's men wasted few opportunities before the break yet killed the game just three minutes into the restart as Hofmann volleyed home Schieber's cross from five metres.

Hamburg grabbed their first quarterfinal berth since 2009 owing to a 2-1 win over second division front-runners Cologne.

Elsewhere, second division team Union Berlin lost 3-0 to league rivals Kaiserslautern.